Ok guys there are alot of Subaru and Mitsubishi owners on this board now. So lets have a mature and factual discussion about which brand you feel builds the overall better car. Lets talk about all of their ups and downs, weak points as well as simply annoying tid bits. What problems have you had since owning the car? Have you owned both cars, which did you prefer?

 

I just drove a wrx for the first time today with all the works and to be honest I was not impressed. My little bitty EF hatch handles better. Subarus are just talked up way too much and really arent all that great. Now Evos on the other hand seem to be more tuner than luxury. I havent had a chance to drive one of those yet but they definantly have my vote on looks and styling. EVO FTW!!!

 

Just get a Subaru. Most of their cars are reliable since they are now partly owned by Toyota. Mitsubishi's only lifeblood is the Evo, the rest are garbage IMO.

 

I've had both and they are both nice cars with ups and downs but overall I'll keep the Evo and never go back

 

WRX all day. though I'll say that an evo is cheaper to make go fast, the quality of subaru is not a question when it comes to these two cars. Not too big on the new hatch's though. but if you are comparing the two you should be comparing the STI and the EVO.

 

Have you ever owned a subaru? ever driven a modded one? who's car were you in? a new wrx should have been pretty quick too.

 

Evo will always be faster, handle better and give you more bang for the buck. That's a FACT.
Inline 4, iron block will spool faster and handle more boost.

Overall build quality, Subaru hands down. If you're looking for a nice daily driver with some decent speed, the WRX/STi is a good choice. If you have kids or need space, the forester 2.5 XT and Legacy GT are nice too.

Good:
-Exhaust note is damn sexy
-If you do buy a wrx, STi parts are easily swappable
-ZOMG ken block youtube
-AWD system is great
-Tons of aftermarket
-Last damn near forever
-Other owners wave
-Wold Rally Blue
-Cheap
-Lots of choices. Base model impreza, 2.5RS, WRX, STi, STi limited
-2.5L's have nice TQ

Bad:
-Lots of people talk about the transmission failing. These are the same idiots beating the hell out of their car power shifting, side steping the clutch. Instead of wheel spin, you have flex/shock on your driveline.
-Power doesn't come easy. 400whp isn't an manual boost controller and intake away.


Keep in mind this is coming from someone who has owned a subaru for 5 years. I have friends with Evos and Subarus. If I wanted a track car, I'd take an Evo. If I wanted a DD, I'd take an STi.

L-SCHLEGS from nasioc VVV

 

30k on my evo x with 100+whp over stock and doing great. Stock clutch still too. Some minor issues but expected since its a first year model.

 

evo ftw!!!!

sti's are to small inside
changing plugs are a bit*h too lol

 

a buddy of mine owns a 06 sti, everything is pretty much bullet proof besides the riglands on the pistons..

he's had about 88k miles of abuse on his trans, and every now and then he has a slight grind going into 3rd.. this kid drives the crap out of it so the driveline is pretty much a work of art.

 

I have always liked Evos but STI's are just like air cooled 911's built like a goddamn tank.

 

Mitsubishi reliability is total crap. Not sure about the evo's, but any dsm owner will tell you the same. All my turbo talons/eclipses literally ran for 3 weeks at a time. I know a few wrx owners that have had very little problems with them. Most have high mileage too.

 

Evo wins in my book.. Not comparing speed or any aspect of that nature. I have friends that both own evo's and subies and just based off of reliabliti and build quality the evo wins hands down. The evo has never had any problems what so ever and the subies have to undergo maintenance on a regular it seems!!!

 

So what kind of problems are we talking about on both vehicles?

 

STi hands down. I just sold mine with 118k on the stock clutch at 330whp/370wtq. When an Evo can do that, then it might have a chance. I have just heard too many horror stories.

 

Well it all comes down to what you want to do with the car. Is it going to be a DD/auto'x car or a all out drag car etc etc.

STi:
Pros- 6 Speed can and will handle a lot of power and abuse (600+whp ). Evo and wrx's transmissions are just too weak and will eventually need to be modded if you want to make a good amount of power (i.e. 300whp).

Cons- The pistons. Weakest link in a Subaru motor (any model). Even if you're stock and drive the **** out of it, the pistons will go on you. Also, the paint job from Subaru sucks so I would suggest a clear bra and mudflaps if you care about your paint.

Evo: (never owned it but I've done my research)
Pros- (in reference to all the Evo's except the Evo X) Motors are built to last. With just cams you essentially have a built motor. Also the stock turbo is bigger than the STi so mod for mod, Evo will win. Plus the fact that they can make easy power on little modifications.

Cons- The transmission. 5 or 6 speed they're both garbage.


Both have great AWD system but IMO, I feel Subaru has the upper hand in that department.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

DD EVO 8 owner here, and this is the truth.
I love it, but it makes lots of noises, and for a paranoid person who's never owned a mitsu it can be nerve racking.

The Subis i test drove were ok, but im a driver and i need a drivers car. the Subaru's didnt give me that. little too watered down, perfect for a daily.

I actually have some money set aside for when my transfer case decides to take a dump.
BUT this thing is totally stock suspension. dialed in an alignment and it handles magnificently.
I think if you have the budget. the evo X is the best balance of both worlds. They have worked out some bugs and got a little more daily friendly with it.

 

Subi for quality, reliability, and for a daily. Hands down Evo for speed, cheap parts, and track duty.

I have a friend with an 06 STI approaching 80k with no issues what so ever, build quality is on par with Honda. Also have a friend with a 400whp Evo 8, it has had minor problems, but nothing major, but is a bit cheap inside.

My choice would be the STI, I love how they look, reliability is great, and creature comfort is better than the EVO. But the EVO is still a wonderful car with more potential that the STI. Just my .02 cents

 

EVO just because I own one. Both are really nice car. A buddy of mine owns a STI and was watching him change out his spark plugs and it looked like it was a pain in the A$$.

 

Having owned neither I would spring for an EVO for the 4G63 and the styling which I prefer better.

 

The crank on evo's suck ***. They have a tendency to go on a walk.

 

great comment to add ... it really adds a good point of view from some newb.

i have driven 2 STis (05 and 06 limited) and 2 EVOs (04 and 06 MR), plus i now own the MR. i was a huge STi fan till i actually drove both. the EVO was just so dialed in. it was a true performance car. the STi was still fast as **** and handled well it just didn't feel the same, a little numb at times. its been about 9 months since i got the EVO and its now for sale... i hit 333whp and 312wtq with bolt ons and a tune... its crazy fast and i love it. The car handles better then anything i could ever imagine. I have 18x9.5 inch wheels with 275s on all four along with KW Clubsport coilovers and can keep up with any porsche through the corners... even pass them. but im looking for some luxury now.

im pretty sure if you asked me again in 2 years i would pick the EVO. my EVO only has 31k miles and its a 06 MR and im actually the 3rd owner but i haven't had to spend any extra on parts or maintenance other then the normal scheduled ones.

but like many people have been saying the EVO doesn't really have the best overall build quality. the dash rattles, interior is not good looking, and stuff just sometimes makes noises. the STi has a better interior and less interior noise. as far as the motor goes i would give it to the 4G63 any day... its been around for ages and its pretty much perfect. both cars have ok transmissions, mine hasent had any problems... but take it to the track enough and be ready to replace the clutch or possible rebuild the transmission. the harder you drive the faster it goes out.

hope that helps.

ps. if your coming from a Honda the EVO motor is pretty easy to work on being its the same layout and general concept but any gearhead should be able to figure out how to work on the boxer STi motor.

 

My first piece of advice is to listen to people with FIRSTHAND experience. There is so much internet regurgitation of "horror stories" and "i know someone who had this.." bla bla bla. there's even some of that in this thread already. theres always going to be fanboys who get mad when someone leaves their group for another marque.

Coming from a Turbo Integra, I loved my Evo when I had it - but outside of the performance world, owning it sucked. Unless you spend all day at WOT and 23Psi - its not worth it, in my opinion. I sold mine because the only tme I really got to enjoy it was at Autocrosses and Road Course events. So thats what, once a month I got to enjoy the car? No thanks. The attention from ricers and police was a big hassle, and as a daily, that interior and all the other stuff just gets old. On top of that, the dealer network SUCKS, except for South Coast Mitsu.

Now I'm in my first subaru. For day to day, its a lot more tolerable than the evo was. Oddly, I find myself missing the ease in which big HP numbers can be made and handled like the Evo, but thats the tradeoff. The dealer network is a lot better, and overall the people that own Subarus have a much broader variety than that of the evo (you see old ladies driving subarus - you only see younger cats driving evo's - for the most part).

Mind you, I've had the luxury of owning 2 cars simultaneously for quite some time. Owning only one car and having to depend on it as a sole means of transportation in Los Angeles is a steep request. If I had to go back to owning only one car...I'd stick with my G35. hahah sorry.

 

03 Bugeye - Problem

06 Evo - No Problem *

/ Pointless thread

 

I've never owned a Subie so I can't really comment on them. I drove an earlier WRX once with only 20,000km on it and the rotors were warpped pretty bad. Drove nice though.

I currently own a Talon (Eclipse, same ****) and love it. No major issues, just regular maintenance for a 14yr old car.